Rajasthan Royals are set to begin their IPL 2020 campaign against Chennai Super Kings after the Lions registered their first win against the defending champions Mumbai Indians. Chennai Super Kings would definitely start as favourites as Royals are set to miss key players like Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes as they arrived late in UAE and are following the quarantine rules. MS Dhoni will be sticking to the same team and Steve Smith who will return after a head injury will look to give opportunities to youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal. Robin Uthappa has always enjoyed playing against CSK, scoring 538 runs at an average of 31.64 and strike rate of 135.51.
CSK will start as favourites but the match can depend upon the toss. It is the same venue on which CSK defeated MI so the pitch conditions favour the spinners and both teams have a clinical spin department.
Head -To-Head:The two teams have faced each other 21 times in the IPL so far, and CSK holds a 14-7 head-to-head win/loss record over RR.
RR are handicapped due to absence of Stokes & Butler. CSK is also missing Bravo and Raina and Bhajji are already out. But that’s all under water under the bridge now. CSK is always a formidable rival.
We have a cracker of a contest on our hand.
Look forward to performance of Yashasvi Jaiswal after yesterdays’ heroics of Devdutt Padikkal.
Big team news: Ambati Rayudu is not a 100%, and he is replaced by Ruturaj Gaekwad, who has recovered from Covid-19 . Big chance for the youngster to cement his place and be considered over M Kathik for regular spot!
